Has legalisation changed the risk for people who use?

Since the Cannabis Act (KCanG) came into force, the rules for adults on handling cannabis have been different from before. Whether this has changed the risk for people who use can so far only be assessed with caution. An analysis from 2026 found no significant increase in how often people use in the German population. It evaluated several surveys from April 2022 to April 2026 with around 36,000 people aged 14 to 64. Only how often people use was studied. According to drugcom, there are at the same time signs of more cannabis-related health problems, such as more hospital admissions and diagnosed psychoses. According to drugcom, long-term effects cannot yet be fully assessed.

What has changed legally

For adults aged 18 and over, possession of 25 grams or less of cannabis is permitted (section 3(1) KCanG). At the place of residence, 50 grams or less of flowers and plant material is permitted (section 3(2) KCanG). Home cultivation with at most three plants at the same time is permitted (section 9(1) KCanG).

At the same time, bans on use apply, for example in the immediate presence of minors (section 5(1) KCanG), and in schools, on children's playgrounds and within sight of them (section 5(2) KCanG). Advertising and any form of sponsorship for cannabis and for cannabis associations (Anbauvereinigungen) is prohibited (section 6 KCanG). Legalisation is therefore tied to clear rules that you should keep in view when using.

What the analyses show

The analysis from 2026 describes no significant increase in how often people use. This is an important finding that does not yet settle the question. How often people use is only one part of the risk. For the individual, the amount, the strength of the product and the point at which use began also count. The prevention site cannabispraevention.de stresses that harmfulness depends on age and on how often people use.

How the strength changes the risk

A finding from drugcom concerns the strength of the product. Cannabis with a higher THC content is linked, according to one study, to roughly double the risk of psychotic symptoms. The prevention site also reports that people who use cannabis more often develop psychosis than people who do not. The statistical association, however, does not prove that cannabis causes psychosis.

For legalisation, this means that the question of quality and strength remains important, whether or not use is permitted. The prevention site cannabispraevention.de also states: the higher the THC content, the more dangerous. More on this is in the article on the role of THC content in risk.

What is still open

Long-term effects cannot yet be fully assessed. According to the researchers, effects in the USA and Canada only appeared after about five years. Because Germany has only partly legalised and commercial recreational sales remain prohibited, the effects could differ. For questions about current rules, it is worth checking the information from the responsible authorities, because laws can change.

What this means for you

• Legal does not mean harmless. The health risks remain with every use.
• Pay attention to the THC content and to your use habits.
• Keep to the bans on use and the youth protection rules, even where they seem unnecessarily strict to you.
• Check your use regularly, for example with the cannabis check from drugcom.

Youth protection remains the core

The youth protection rules are among the most important parts of the law. Using cannabis in the immediate presence of minors is prohibited (section 5(1) KCanG). In schools and on children's playgrounds, a ban on public use applies, in each case also within sight of them. Beyond 100 metres from the entrance area, the sight range is no longer given (section 5(2) KCanG). Persons under 18 may not enter the enclosed property of cannabis associations (section 23(1) KCanG). Anyone who knows these rules reduces the risk of endangering others.

Passing cannabis on

Passing on is the point at which private use can become a criminal act. Supplying or passing on cannabis is a criminal offence (section 34 KCanG). As a typical example of a particularly serious case, the law names passing on to a child or young person by someone over 21 years of age. For this, it provides for imprisonment from three months up to five years (section 34(3) KCanG). The basic offence of passing on is punishable by imprisonment of up to three years or a fine (section 34(1) KCanG). Home cultivation is also affected: cannabis from private home cultivation may not be passed on to third parties (section 9(2) KCanG).

Predisposition and amount

The prevention site cannabispraevention.de describes that the harmfulness of cannabis depends on the age of the person using and on how often they use. Individual predisposition also plays a role. For people with an inborn tendency towards psychosis, even small amounts can be enough. It follows that a legally permitted amount says nothing about how use goes for a particular person.

What the statute does not replace

Laws set out limits. They do not describe everyday life. Anyone who knows the rules knows what is permitted. The statute does not show whether use is good for your health. For that there is counselling, medical assessment and reliable health information. For questions about a specific situation, a counselling service or a specialist lawyer (Fachanwältin or Fachanwalt) can help, because courts decide case by case.

Where to get help

For questions about your use, you can reach the Sucht und Drogen Hotline on 01806 313031. An overview of counselling services is in the article on finding addiction counselling in your area. Further assessments of your use are offered by the article on the questions for self-assessment.

All topics on policy and research are under policy and research. The legal overview of youth protection is given in the article on the rules of the KCanG.